Southwest Dekalb High School

Excellent place to be. Lots of top scholars at Universities come from here the children are the cream of the crop!
--Submitted by a parent

My personal observation is the staff and the adminstration don't always put the students education first. It is sad but I realize it is my responsiblity to make sure my kids get what they need. Mr. Prince appears to be weak and very disrepected. In times like these we need a strong leader. There is more to life than SWD band and the nasty dancing divas. I am impressed with the magnet program and encourage them.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is average. There are some administrators and teachers that hide some of the things that go on so the reputation can be protected. My daughter goes there and had done pretty well but it has taken a serious amount of monitoring the school and teachers to keep her on track. Not to say this school is better or worse than others including private but it is up to the child and parents to get you kid through with a chance at a decent future. If I had the opportunity I would have taken her to another school that focused more on truly helping kids be the best they can be.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter was a transfer student from Cedar Grove Middle. She was in the magnet program at both Cedar Grove and Southwest. The teachers have been exceptional. My daughter has maintained 4.0 average the four years in attendance at Southwest. She is graduating this year and I feel that she has been well prepared to venture into her college experience thanks to the teachers and administration of Southwest.
--Submitted by a parent

this is a terible school the safety is horrible the teachers are worse and the princple Mr. prince is scared of every student there overall this school could be much better
--Submitted by a student

I graduated from Swd in 2007. Since i was in the magnet program i really can not comment on the other classes ,but i can review the school in general.The administration needs help, there are a few exceptions but overall a lot of people need to lose their jobs. As a student i always felt like they looked at me as a bad apple, they look at every student that way and expect every student to be up to no good.A lot of teachers are subpar aswell, but in conclusion if i had kids i wouldnt them there but if i had no other choice i wouldn't be greatly upset.
--Submitted by a student

great school my daughter had a great time and excelled, would recommend. it's better than chamblee because i sent my daughter there and she hated it. they would try to throw her out if she got a c and thats crazy, give a child some time to grow!!!
--Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent school my daughter graduated in 2005 with great accomplishments and is about to graduate from college.My son is a student there now and has received great honors for academic achievements .
--Submitted by a parent

SWD is more than just the band and the football team. Personally as a student who has been apart of the band I think they aren't that good, but the academics are really good. Students can get the instruction that they need during the day magnet or not. You should send your child there even though the administration isn't that great......
--Submitted by a student

SWD is a great school. Of course, some things have changed since I was there in 2001, but what school hasn't changed. I work in the Stephenson High school district and that school has changed (and I'm not talking about for the better). Instead of pulling our kids out of schools and moving them to 'other districts,' lets address the problems. I read a lot of reviews from parents on here, but I don't recall seeing this kind of participation at the board meetings and PTA meetings. If the concerned parents are not addressing the issues, then they will forever be 'issues.'
--Submitted by a teacher